Cop16 Prop. 48
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Original language: Spanish CoP16 Prop. 48 CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA ____________________ Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties Bangkok (Thailand), 3-14 March 2013 CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS FOR AMENDMENT OF APPENDICES I AND II A. Proposal Listing of the species Potamotrygon motoro and Potamotrygon schroederi in Appendix II in accordance with Article II 2a (b) of the Convention, and Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15) for: Potamotrygon motoro (Müller and Henle, 1841) Potamotrygon schroederi Fernández-Yépez, 1958 Note The entry into effect of the inclusion of Potamotrygon motoro and Potamotrygon schroederi in CITES Appendix II will be delayed by 18 months to enable Parties to resolve the related technical and administrative issues. B. Proponent Colombia and Ecuador*. C. Supporting statement 1. Taxonomy 1.1 Class: Chondrichthyes 1.2 Order: Myliobatiformes 1.3 Family : Potamotrygonidae 1.4 Genus, species or subspecies: Potamotrygon motoro (Müller and Henle, 1841) 1.5 Scientific synonyms: Paratrygon laticeps (Garman, 1913) Potamotrygon alba Castex, 1963 Potamotrygon circularis Garman, 1913 Potamotrygon labradori Castex, 1963 Potamotrygon laticeps Garman, 1913 Potamotrygon pauckei Castex, 1963 Trygon garrapa Jardine, 1843 Trygon mulleri Castelnau, 1855 * The geographical designations employed in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the CITES Secretariat or the United Nations Environment Programme concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The responsibility for the contents of the document rests exclusively with its author. CoP16 Prop. 48 – p. 1 1.6 Common names: Spanish: Raya, raya motoro, raya tigra, raya pintada, raya amazónica, chucho de río English: South American freshwater stingray, ocellate river stingray Portuguese: Boro, raia motoro, raia maca, arraia de fogo, arraia grande Potamotrygon schroederi Fernández-Yépez, 1958 1.6 Common names: English: Rosette river stingray Spanish: Guacamaya, raya guacamaya, raya guayanesa, guacamaya bandera 1.7 Code numbers: none 2. Overview The species Potamotrygon motoro and Potamotrygon schroederi belong to the family of freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygonidae), native to South America and recognized as an economically highly important ornamental fishery resource. Harvesting of it for “mainly international” trade is considered one of the principal threats to it and the cause of diminishing wild populations (Araujo et al. 2004, Ramos 2009, Lasso and Sánchez-Duarte 2012a, b). More than 500,000 specimens of the family Potamotrygonidae have been recorded as being exported from Colombia during 1995-2012 (Barreto et al. 2009, CEP 2010, Barreto et al. 2011) and more than 36,000 specimens from other countries, such as Brazil between 2003 and 2005 (Ramos 2009). According to Ramos (2009) (IBAMA – Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), the specimens exported from Brazil are sent principally to some 18 countries, notably Germany, the United States and Asian countries and territories such as Taiwan Province of China and Japan, into which more than 600 specimens were imported (Ramos 2009) (Annex 3). The family Potamotrygonidae includes 25 species spread over four genera: Heliotrygon, Potamotrygon, Paratrygon and Plesiotrygon (Froese and Pauly 2012, de Carvalho and Lovejoy 2011). However, the present proposal covers only two species of the genus Potamotrygon: P. motoro and P. schroederi, on the basis of the biological conditions, the situation of vulnerability and the trade, which make them eligible for listing in CITES Appendix II. The data or information available on exports of these two species of the genus Potamotrygon is not complete. However, it is possible to reconstruct the statistics for P. mo t o r o in Colombia for the period from 1999 to 2009 (excluding 2003), during which time 81,109 specimens were exported (Lasso unpublished data, Incoder 2007-2011). There are data for the period 2003 to 2005 for Brazil, which before the introduction of the domestic regulation (2008), exported 17,840 specimens of P. mo t o r o and 1,049 specimens of P. schroederi (Ramos 2009). In addition, in Colombia, the statistics for landings or catches can be matched to the demand from international trade. Thus, for the period 2007 – 2010, 7,954 specimens of P. schroederi were reported (data from SIPA-Convenio MADR-CCI (2007 - 2010). In terms of the IUCN overall categories, the species are classified as DD (Data Deficient). However, the analysis of the risk of extinction of freshwater fish from Colombia classifies these species as endangered (Lasso and Sánchez-Duarte 2012a, b, Mojica et al. 2012). Potamotrygon motoro has been classified as VU (Vulnerable), under the subcategory A4d on the basis of a rapid 30% decline in population size as a result of potential levels of exploitation (Lasso and Sánchez-Duarte 2012a). Potamotrygon schroederi has also been classified as VU (vulnerable) primarily under the subcategory A4d (Lasso and Sánchez-Duarte 2012b). Potamotrygon motoro and Potamotrygon schroederi are eligible to be listed in Appendix II in accordance with Article II 2a (b) of the Convention, and Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15), since it is known, or can be inferred or projected, that regulation of trade in the species is required to ensure that the harvest of specimens from the wild is not reducing the wild population to a level at which its survival might be threatened by continued harvesting or other influences. CoP16 Prop. 48 – p. 2 Finally, and as agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP15) in 2010, Decision 15.85 on freshwater stingrays was adopted in accordance with the provisions of Resolution Conf. 4.6 (Rev. CoP15), calling on the Parties that are range States of species of the family Potamotrygonidae to: a) note the findings and conclusions of the freshwater stingrays workshop (document AC24 Doc. 14.2), and increase their efforts to improve data collection on the scale and impact of the threats facing stingray species and populations from collection for ornamental trade, commercial fisheries for food and habitat damage; b) consider implementing or reinforcing national regulations regarding the management and reporting of capture and international trade of freshwater stingrays for all purposes, including commercial fisheries for food and ornamental trade, and standardizing these measures across the region, for example through existing South American intergovernmental bodies; and c) consider the listing of endemic and threatened species of freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygonidae) in CITES Appendix III as needing the cooperation of other Parties in the control of trade. Listing in Appendix II of these species of freshwater stingrays, Potamotrygon schroederi and Potamotrygon motoro, would guarantee the sustainability of a resource identified as commercially important, also taking into account the vulnerability resulting from exploitation. Listing of Potamotrygon motoro and Potamotrygon schroederi in Appendix II would also contribute to the monitoring of the statistics relating to legal activity and to reducing illegal trade and supporting the management, administration and regulation of these species in the countries 3. Species characteristics 3.1 Distribution Potamotrygon motoro (Müller and Henle, 1841) The range States include: Argentina, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Lasso and Sánchez-Duarte 2012a) (see Annex 1). In Colombia it is found in the basins of the Orinoco (Guaviare, Inírida, Meta and Tomo sub-basins) and the Amazon (Amazonas, Río Negro, Guainía and Putumayo sub-basins) (Lasso et al. 2004, Ortega et al. 2006, Maldonado-Ocampo et al. 2008, Lasso and Sánchez-Duarte 2012a). In the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, it is found in the basin of the Orinoco (Casiquiare, Ventuari, Atabapo, Cinaruco, Capanaparo, Apure, Caura and Orinoco sub-basins) (Lasso et al. 2004). In Guyana, Suriname and French Guyana, it is found in all the major rivers. In the case of Ecuador it has been reported in the basin of the Pastaza river and in Peru, in the basin of the Amazon (de Carvalho et al. 2003). In Brazil it is found most commonly in the Cuiabá river (State of Mato-Grosso) (Ross and Schafer 2000). In the case of Paraguay it has been reported in the basins of the Paraná and Paraguay rivers; in Uruguay in the basin of the Uruguay river (Cappato and Yanosky 2009) and finally, in Argentina in the basin of the River Plate (río de La Plata) (AC20 Inf. 8) (See Annex 1). Potamotrygon schroederi Fernández-Yépez, 1958 The range States include the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia. In Colombia it is found in the Orinoco and Amazon basins (Maldonado-Ocampo et al. 2008, Lasso and Sánchez-Duarte 2012b). In the Orinoco, in the Arauca and Meta rivers and the main course of the Orinoco between the estuary of the Tomo and Guaviare rivers (Lasso and Sánchez-Duarte 2012b); in the Amazon, in the Putumayo and Amazon basins (Ortega et al. 2006) (Annex 1). In Brazil it is found in the basin of the Rio Negro river (de Carvalho et al. 2003) and in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the Orinoco (Alto Orinoco, Cataniapo, Cinaruco, Capanaparo, Apure, Caura, Delta and Orinoco sub-basins) (Lasso et al. 2004) (See Annex 1). CoP16 Prop. 48 – p. 3 3.2 Habitat Generally speaking, freshwater stingrays are restricted to aquatic environments with a salinity lower than 3 ppt (Brooks et al. 1981). They are found in various freshwater environments including sandy beaches, flooding forests, small streams with rocky or muddy bottoms, as well as lakes (Charvet- Almeida, 2001). They can be found in all three water types, white, clear and black, although certain species show a preference for or are more common in one particular type or another. Potamotrygon motoro (Müller and Henle, 1841) Species characteristic of clear and black water in both the Orinoquia and the Amazonia regions (Lasso and Sánchez-Duarte 2012a).